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Sunday, June 21, 2026

crack - 22. an unexpected visitor

by nick nelson

part 22 of ?

for previous episode, click here

to begin at the beginning, click here







bill arrived at his office ten minutes early, as he usually did, with a coffee, and as it was thursday, a jelly donut.

as soon as he sat down at his desk the red light on his intercom went on. red signaled a message from an official agency higher than human resources.

smith 5023 here.

good morning, bill. my name is jared jones, and i am from the office of the special counsel on social functionality. can you spare me a moment or two?

of course.

thank you. i will be right up

the red light went off.

bill took a sip of his coffee and a bite of his donut and the door opened.

jared jones wore a gray suit and a blue tie. he sat down without being invited.

good morning. bill. i hope i find you well.

very well, thank you. yourself?

i am functioning. let s get down to it.

let’s.

you are being promoted.

bill nodded.

to a highly sensitive position. and not one that you can refuse. as you will be privy to very sensitive information.

bill took a sip of hi coffee.

i am flattered.

you should be. we have been observing you for a long time. of course, we observe everybody all the time, or at least try to.

can i ask what this sensitive information is?

all in good time.

of course, what was i thinking?

it was a natural reflex. do not worry about it.

will i still work from this office.?

no, but your new location will only be down the street - and with a much better view of the city and the universe.

will i keep my place of residence?

we will find you a better one. do you have any objection?

no.

good.

how long should i continue here, with this job?

until the end of the month. but take time next tuesday to report to this address for a briefing.

jared jones handed a small slip of paper to bill, and stood up.

any questions?

no.

bill stood up and saw jared jones out the door.

the first unit of the day, a young woman wearing a green hat with a picture of a growling bear on it, was seated in the small waiting room,

sorry to keep you waiting, bill told her.

i just got here. i thought i was early.

please, come on in.


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